The EC Regulations on social security provide that contributions paid in one member state can be combined with contributions paid in other member states in order to qualify a person for certain social security benefits. Accordingly, any contributions paid by the person concerned in the United Kingdom can, subject to certain conditions, be combined with any contributions paid by him in this country.
Under EC Regulations, responsibility for the payment of disability benefit rests with the country in which the claimant was last insurably employed. Because of this it is that country which aggregates the contribution records.
As the person concerned has not made a claim to my Department for disability benefit or invalidity pension, it is not possible, to determine his entitlement to either payment. If he submits a claim to my Department his entitlement will be examined by a statutorily appointed Deciding Officer. He will be notified of the outcome and have a right of appeal should he be dissatisfied.
Responsibility for the disabled person's maintenance allowance scheme rests with the Department of Health. It is understood that the person concerned applied some time ago for this allowance and that a decision on his application is still pending. Any further inquiries regarding this application should be addressed to the Department of Health. I should mention that entitlement to this payment is based primarily on the applicant's means and as it is a social assistance payment it does not come within the scope of the EC Regulations.
